Eddie Howe favourite for Crystal Palace manager's job

Why get Eddie Howe when we have our own howegenius waiting in the wings

Eddie Howe has emerged as the front runner for the Crystal Palace manager's job but why when we have our own equivalent more than keen to take on the role in Dougie Freedman.

If you look at how Howe got involved at Dean Court it is fairly similar to Freedman at Palace. Howe joined the coaching set up at Bournemouth in 2006 when he was 29-years-old as player-coach by then manager Kevin Bond. He then progressively

worked his way up to manager in 2008 after being youth team coach and caretaker manager.

As a player Howe played over 200 times for the Cherries, Freedman made over 300 for Palace, before he was forced to retire early after failing to recover form a knee injury. And as a manager Howe's record since taking the reigns is exceptionable especially with all the difficulties surrounding the club when he took charge.

There is no doubt in my mind that Howe will do well in South London if appointed but I just feel it will be a missed opportunity with Freedman. One thing stalling Steve Parish and the rest of the board in committing to Freedman is his lack of experience - well he didn't display any signs of that in the 1-0 home victory over Preston.

For me his lack of experience is not an issue - look what he went through as assistant with Paul Hart last year and George Burley this season he must have already learnt an invaluable amount.

Instead of pinching Howe from Bournemouth we should look at the way they built the club with him. They are so proud of what they have achieved under one of the youngest managers in the football league. I truly believe that is something we can have under Freedman and maybe even better.

Personally I naively feel we are in no threat of being relegated this season and that is why I think it is a great time to build a team that we can be proud of and one that would flourish under a clever, young and ambitious manager.

Who is in line to be the next Crystal Palace manager?

With nearly a year on since Niel Warnock left Selhurst Park the Eagles are once again searching for a new manager - what will be their third since Warnock's departure. Apparently 20 managers with Premier League or Championship experience have applied, so who are the likely candidates?

Chris Hughton: Hughton has been tipped as the favourite to be the next manager of the Eagles by some of the national papers over the weekend despite Chairman Steve Parish denying ever speaking to the former Newcastle boss and insisting his appearance at the 3-0 defeat to

Millwall on New Years Day was a coincidence. While Hughton eased his Newcastle side back into the Premier League last season at the first time of asking and was harshly dismissed by Toon chairman Mike Ashley I feel Hughton is not the man Palace need. He came away from the Newcastle job with a great deal of credit from fans and the players but to me questions still linger over his managerial capabilities. The Newcastle team that got promoted last season had the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith - all top flight players.

Steve Coppell: The Daily Mirror described Coppell as a shock contender for the role.

Why he is a shock contender I am struggling to work out, he would in many Palace fans eyes be the ideal man to replace Burley but there are worries whether he wants to manage again after his spell at Bristol City. Coppell is a true Palace legend and some thought he may take the reins last year after the departure of Warnock and now the club is stable with the January transfer window just opened it may be an even more appealing position. Others have suggested that Coppell could come in as a Director of Football role offering support to CPFC 2010 and the manager. What is certain at the minute surrounding Coppell is that Parish is going to talk to him about the role whether he sees him fit in or who is the ideal candidate is his mind.

Dougie Freedman: The current caretaker manager and Palace legend had the fans singing his name in Monday's crucial 1-0 home victory over fellow strugglers Preston North End. Concerns surrounding Freedman is his lack of experience but Parish has admitted that the result against Preston has left him with a dilemna. The former Palace frontman made some tough decisions in that game that perhaps showed he is not all that inexperienced at the helm of the dugout. He firstly bought on Kieran Cadogan for Stuart O'Keefe who went on to set up Steffen Iversen's debut goal. He then replaced the Norwegian forward for Calvin Andrew and subbed Wilfred Zaha for David Wright adopting a defensive system for the

remaining ten minutes.

Chris Coleman: Former Eagle Coleman was voted in Palace's centenary XI and is likely to

have put his name forward for the job. He has experience with Premier League side Fulham and Championship side Coventry as well as time abroad in Spain with Real Sociedad. He did well as Fulham manager with not a great squad especially after loosing Edwin van der Sar, Louis Saha, Steed Malbranque and Luis Boa Morte. After spending a year and a half at the Ricoh Arena he failed to really push them on as a club finishing last season just above the relegation zone in 19th place before being sacked.

Gareth Southgate: Another former Palace player that will be keen to get back into management since his departure from Middlesbrough. He will be eager to prove himself after a poor record at the Riverside but may pose something of a risk in my opinion. Didn't do much at Borough to convince many he is a decent manager and may need some time elsewhere to prove himself before his chance at Selhurst.

Possible Premier League managers that may have put their name forward may include Sam Allardyce, Paul Jewell, Alan Curbishley, Martin O'Neil or Phil Brown.

Whoever CPFC 2010 chose to replace Burley they must not rush into the decision despite the january transfer window being open and keep the faith with Dougie to do the job until a successor is found. For me the answer is to keep the young combination of Dean Austin and Freedman and install Coppell as Director of Football to guide them. They need to get someone in for the long term which they thought Burley was and if they are to look elsewhere from the Palace foundations then Alan Curbishley is one man who would fit the bill well.

Steffen Iversen scores on debut for Crystal Palace

Burley's parting present will prove a big hit for Palace

The signing of former Spurs legend Steffen Iversen was viewed by some football fans across the country as another attempt by Crystal Palace to gain extra attention and was compared to the Davids deal as a PR stunt.

Well whether a PR stunt or not Iverson will prove to be one of our best assets over the coming months. In the warm-up he looked very sharp and during the game he was faultless winning

flick-ons and showed some nice touches. The only thing lacking was the inability of the Palace players to be

on the same wavelength as the Norwegian but that is no surprise after the 34-year-old was only cleared to play the morning of the game.

Another exciting prospect will be the return of Darren Ambrose to the line up who will hopefully provide the crosses for Iversen who at times looked frustrated with the lack of quality service he perhaps remembered seven years ago when he last played in England.

While some of Burley's signings during his five-month stint as manager at Selhurst have not lived up to their expectations it seems that the Scot has left with a belated Christmas present and parting gift that in my opinion will fire the Eagles up the table.